With so many new food stops in the works, it’s bound to affect some of the established eateries around the park. In fact, we’ve already begun to see hints of change starting at Tamu Tamu Refreshments.

Tamu Tamu Refreshments

You see, it’s located in the village of Harambe in Animal Kingdom’s Africa, so it’s just across the way from where the Market will be.

Location of Tamu Tamu in Animal Kingdom’s Africa

Since the Harambe Market will have a whole slew of new entrees to choose from, the menu at Tamu Tamu just switched over to focus entirely on desserts and drinks as opposed to its previous entrees like curry dishes and the Pulled Beef Sandwich.

Lucky me, I had a group of friends visiting Animal Kingdom who offered to try them ALL!

Taste-Testers!!

Or perhaps I should say, “Lucky THEM,” because altogether there are FIVE desserts on the menu!

All-new Tamu Tamu menu

While the Pineapple Whip Soft-serve (with Dark or Coconut Rum) has been available since last May, the Chocolate Waffle with Espresso Mousse, Double Chocolate-Chip Ice Cream Sandwich, Mickey Ice Cream Chocolate Cookie Sundae, and Chocolate-covered Espresso Beans are all BRAND NEW to Tamu Tamu!

Tamu Tamu desserts

Let’s take them one by one, starting with the Chocolate Waffle topped with an Espresso Mousse.

Today, we finally get to sample even more of the menu from Epcot’s brand new eatery, Spice Road Table!

Located right on the water in the Morocco Pavilion within World Showcase, Epcot’s newest restaurant offers small plates and an interesting wine list featuring bottles from throughout the Mediterranean region.

Last week, we gave you a sneak peek at the inside of the Spice Road Table, as well as the new shops and Juice Bar! In addition, we had the opportunity to taste several of the desserts that are featured here, and we’re loving everything we’ve sampled so far!

Menu Cover

Today, we’re going more in depth and giving you a look at several menu items that we enjoyed throughout the weekend, as DFB staff have been busy sampling many of the goods and snapping pics of everything!

Spice Road Table — Outside View

From the atmosphere to the food, you’ll be well prepared when the time comes for your first visit to this new exotic hot spot!

Spice Road Table Samplers

Atmosphere

Spice Road Table is currently in its soft opening stage. In Disney Speak, that means that it’s generally open for business, but could close without warning as they [Read more…]

We’ve been eating our little hearts out at Epcot’s newest tapas restaurant and we can’t wait to tell you all about it!

Our review will be broken into a few parts, since there’s SO much to share!

Spice Road Table will be soft opening on Saturday for the public (a grand opening has not yet been scheduled), and we want to hear what you think! The tapas-only restaurant features small plates (which means you can order a LOT!) as well as specialty drinks, a full bar, wines, beers, and more.

There’s even some chef-crafted ice cream (we got to try all five flavors!!) — scroll down to see our review and some fun pics!

But first, let’s take a look around…

Spice Road Table View from the water

Here you’ll see pictures of the new Juice Bar, the outdoor seating at the restaurant, and even the indoor decor! It’s gorgeous!! We can’t wait for you to check it out!

Atmosphere

Spice Road Table, Epcot’s newest restaurant taking up residence on the shores of World Showcase Lagoon in the Morocco Pavilion, will surely be a destination for many Disney food lovers like me!

The space combines 60 indoor seats and 120 outdoor seats, so guests will be comfortable no matter the weather. Now, let’s take a peek INSIDE the restaurant!

Spice Road Table Indoor Seating

As you can see, the space inside is small, but well appointed. There is a view of the water from every single table through the giant wall of windows looking onto World Showcase Lagoon.

Yep — this will absolutely be a hot ticket for the fireworks!

Spice Road Table Decor Indoors

Decor elements include bright colors, plenty of Moroccan additions, and some truly gorgeous lamps and lanterns.

Spice Road Table Indoor Lanterns

But, of course, the main draw is the view!! I’m looking forward to sitting at this table soon!

We’ve watched the progress with eager eyes and can’t wait to try out the new spot, which we KNOW will be a great location for catching the IllumiNations fireworks!

Spice Road Table from across the Lagoon

Here’s a little photo tour of the new location, straight from Epcot today! You can see that construction walls are still up, so Disney’s going to be burning the midnight oil for the next two days getting this spot up and running… .

Spice Road Table Entrance

Here’s a super fun addition: the Juice Bar!! We’re so excited to be able to sidle up for some chef-created ice cream!! The rest of the menu is [Read more…]

California Grill is expected to start taking reservations within the next few weeks for its end of August opening. But right now, in an off-site kitchen, California Grill Chef Brian Piasecki is creating delicious new dishes!

In our earlier post, I reviewed thethree-meat meatballs — a new addition to the appetizer menu at the restaurant. They were delicious…

Oak-Fired Three Meat Meatball.

“We’re really trying to think of creative new ways to use our wood-fired oven,” says Piasecki. Those meatballs are one way, with pork, lamb, and veal spiced with house-made harissa.

An oaky, crispy crust makes them perfect for dredging in Meyer-lemon-scented chimichurri with a side of marinated picholine olives and a little orzo. “Perfect for sharing,” says Piasecki.

Three Meatball Appetizer.

Sourcing as much as possible locally is a priority for Piasecki. The Cape Canaveral prawns are a great example. He roasts them head on in the wood-fired oven and serves with oven-roasted tomatoes, charred lemon, and a handful of peppery baby arugula. (And he’s using the shells to make prawn oil.)

Prawns.

He’s also creating house-made duck charcuterie – prosciutto, sausage, rillettes, butter, and mousse, all made with duck and served with [Read more…]

You all know how much I LURVE Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village (BUTTER CHICKEN!!!). And I’m excited to share that there have been some interesting changes made to the lunch offerings since our recent Sanaa lunch review.

In fact, it’s the most dramatic menu makeover since the restaurant opened.

Let’s take a look at what’s been updated…

Bread Service

The Sanaa bread service has been a major fan favorite for years. Basically, you’ve always been able to get a choice of three breads (including the gorgeous and buttery Naan bread) and three accompaniments for $8.99.

A Few Bread Service Choices -- Naan - Onion Kulcha - Paneer Paratha

Now, Sanaa diners can pay an additional $2 to receive all nine accompaniments with the bread service! Just two bucks and NO MORE CHOOSING!

Bread Service Menu.

You’ll get all those delicious sauces and chutneys for $10.99! Seriously good deal.

All nine bread service accompaniments!

Appetizers and Salad Sampler

NOW, instead of samosas, lamb kefta kabobs, and roasted cauliflower, it features samosas, lamb kefta sliders, and a choice of Seasonal Soup or Chana Tikki (a new appetizer described as Spiced Chickpea Cakes with Tomato Chutney).

Appetizers and Salad Sampler.

The Lamb Kefta Sliders have replaced the former kabobs, and a seasonal soup is now a regular feature on the menu.

Never fear, the totally awesome Tomato Soup with Paneer Cheese is still there!

Tomato Soup with Paneer Cheese is safe on the menu!

Two new salads have appeared on the salad sampler – Kachumbari (didn’t get a detailed description, the Cast are still getting used to everything, too) and Mango salad. These replace the Golden Lentils and Tomato Salad, and the Roasted Beets salad.

Slow-cooked in Gravy

Another menu change Julie got to sample personally was the different variety of “Slow-cooked in Gravy.” She says:

And here’s the latest — new menu items are being added the first week of March, including hand-tossed salads, handcrafted wraps, and Artisan soups…and the HOLIDAY SANDWICH will now be offered year round!!

“Earl of Sandwich is known for the World’s Greatest Hot Sandwich. We now have great wraps, salads, and soups to match”, says Steve Heeley, President & CEO of Orlando based Earl of Sandwich.

Wrapped Earl of Sandwich...sandwich!

The Full Montague is a fan favorite at Earl of Sandwich

Yep — there’ll be a lot more to choose from the next time you head over to Earl!

New Earl of Sandwich Menu Options

Healthful options for on-the-go dining is just one reason that Earl of Sandwich is so popular! Let’s check out the new items!

We’ve got some interesting news about a few menu updates at guest favorite restaurant, ‘Ohana.

According to a server, changes were made to the menu here about a month ago with the posted menu outside of the restaurant still showing the old menu items. Let’s take a look at what’s been updated with this menu-go-round.

‘Ohana Salad Dressing Update

The fan-favorite honey lime dressing has been a stand-out at ‘Ohana as well as a much requested recipe, however it did not make the latest menu cut. Here’s Leslie’s take:

The new salad features a passion fruit vinaigrette with chunks of passion fruit and mandarin oranges. I don’t eat salad, but my husband said the salad was just OK. He really liked the old honey lime dressing. In fact, he usually eats the whole bowl of salad himself, but left about half of it this time.

New Salad at 'Ohana

DFB reader Anne T. also wrote to let us know about the change. She feels similarly about the new dressing: “The new dressing is still good, but not as good as the honey lime,” she says.

‘Ohana Stir-Fried Veggie Update

The vegetable dish has changed as well with this recent menu update. Here’s what Leslie discovered: [Read more…]